The National tribune., 1887-04-14
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have 10 Say About
Their Old Campaigns
WILLIAMSBURG.
A Massachusetts ComrHdr Writes Concerning Han
Cooks EFilAhn.

A Massachusetts ComrHdr Writes Concerning Han.
cocks Brigade.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: ] wish to ask
William B. Smith, OF Sanger, Oak; William ii.
Small, East Monmouth, Me, and n. ,. Fails oil
Thomast0n Me- IL either of them were al the
front on the 5th of May. 1862. under Gen. Han
cock nj the battle of Williamsburg; OF did they
get their knowledge FROM the boys alter their
return from the trOntl
ON the day IN question, Brig.-Gen. David
son mot " Davies" rs has been stated, Tor some
cause was absent from his command, which
consisted of the goth ~ u, 33d n. Y, 9th Wis,
and LIST Me. Two regiments OF Hancocks Brl-
gade were out OF rations, and two OF Dayids0n's
regiments were substituted. Gen. Hancock,
with two og his own regiments aud two OF ia
Wilson'S and a battery OF artillery, made de-
tour TO the right cirCing round 10 the enemy s
left. Our first obstacle was creek, with re-
doubt confronting us, which was not sum
cicntly manned 20 make any resistance. We
crossed on the dam and wound our way up a
steep hillside ON reaching the top, not 20
rods away. was another quite formidable square
earthwork in open field. This, too, was un-
manned.
Across tha hd, and on line with this fort,
facing FortEY6gr our line was formed. The
battery, supported by a few companies OF the
9Th Wis, took "A position IN advance and at
once opened on Fort Magruder. They kept up
charged by six regiments of the enemy, who
emerged from the woods on our right, aud
nearly down 10 the fort, where they formed
their line, extending across the field and para-
lei with onr line. Our battery aud its support
were forced back through our line. Then came
the order, About face! Forward march! "
which we supposed meant retreat, with only a
dam 10 cross on or be shot in the back while
trying 10 cross the Hooded creek. Murmurings
were heard all along the line They had rather
fight against the great odds than attempt an
escape.
But brave Gen Hancock understood the sit
uatiOn and was equal 10 the emergency. After
marching as down under cover of the hill the
order came. Halt About facet" The enemy
could be distinctly heard as they came on
shouting - Bull Rum" At the proper time we
got the famous order "Now gentlemen, give
them the bayonet!" and with will we charged
20 the top of the bill, opening TO view the enc
my about half gHnshot away. We halted and
gave them a yolcy which caused them TO
waiver. Then came sharp and decisive work.
The enemy soon broke scattering for the woods,
aside from the dead, wounded, and large
number that lay down for safety. which were
brought in as prisoners. This settled the fight
ing for The day.
In the early morn Of May 6 we beheld the
Stars and Stripes floating over Fort Magrnder.
This brought a shout from the boys who had
been in line through the driZZly wet day oil the
9th, and had slept i'm line on three-cornered
fence rails, which served TO keep them partly
out of the mud.
The day following the 9TH Me. and 9Th Wis.
were ordered into line by Gen. Mcclellan, and
he personally compimented us for the manner
in which we did our part. He ordered QUA
flags sent away. and when they returned they
bore this inscription in gilt Williamsburg
MAY 9Th, on their folds. IL you doubt this
inquire for the old flags j think you will
find one in the State House at Augusta, Me.
Some one may ask what part the other two
regiments took. aud why were they not com
plimentcd by Gen. Mcclellan will answer
this question by saying that the 9th Me. was
IA the woods ON the right and the other regi-
meut OF HaHcock's Brigade was in the woods
on the left 30 prevent a surprise or being
fianked. They were not in the open field
charge.
n s. Falls Of Co. b, 9TH Me-. Thomaston
Me, il greatly mistaken about Badly" Smiths
Division being engaged in any manner as
division. Lieut.. L. A. Pierce, Co. ID, Sd Vt.
says be remembers starting on a double-quicl
through the mud to reinforce Hancock, but
venture the assertion that he did not cross tn,
dam that day, nor sec the enemy at that point
Gro. b. MCKENEEY, File Closer, Co. c, It'll
Mass, Gloucester, Mass.